Mare’s milk seem to contain alpha-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic (LA) acids amounts respectively precursors of ω-3 and ω-6, higher than in cow’s milk. Most infant formulae contain only the precursor essential fatty acids (EFA), alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, from which formula- fed infants must respectively synthesize their own docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA). The purpose of our studies concerns the evaluation of mare’s milk quality, since some our current researches seem indicate interesting EFA amounts and variability connected with breed and with administered feedstuff. Mare milk samples from 22 Haflinger multiparous mares were collected during the first 105 days of lactation, in order to evaluate the fatty acids content’s variation, saturated/unsaturated ratio and, particularly, linoleic/alpha-linolenic ratio. Collection time was 30,60,90,105 days. Linoleic acid amount was 10.89%, as average, on total fatty acids, in 30 days samples, with a significant (p<0.05) decrease until the end of the observation period (8.54%). Alpha-linolenic significantly increased (p<0.05) until 105 days milk samples from 5.56% and 6.66% on total FA. EPA and DHA were present only as traces. Linoleic/alpha-linolenic ratio was about 2:1 in 30 days samples and pointed out a progressive decrease, with an increasing alpha-linolenic acid amounts during lactation. Saturated/unsaturated ratio was favorable to the first ones as a ratio between 1.2:1 and 1.3:1.
Mare milk EFA composition and effects in human nutrition
CURADI, MARIA CLAUDIA;ORLANDI, MARIO
2004-01-01
Abstract
Mare’s milk seem to contain alpha-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic (LA) acids amounts respectively precursors of ω-3 and ω-6, higher than in cow’s milk. Most infant formulae contain only the precursor essential fatty acids (EFA), alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, from which formula- fed infants must respectively synthesize their own docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA). The purpose of our studies concerns the evaluation of mare’s milk quality, since some our current researches seem indicate interesting EFA amounts and variability connected with breed and with administered feedstuff. Mare milk samples from 22 Haflinger multiparous mares were collected during the first 105 days of lactation, in order to evaluate the fatty acids content’s variation, saturated/unsaturated ratio and, particularly, linoleic/alpha-linolenic ratio. Collection time was 30,60,90,105 days. Linoleic acid amount was 10.89%, as average, on total fatty acids, in 30 days samples, with a significant (p<0.05) decrease until the end of the observation period (8.54%). Alpha-linolenic significantly increased (p<0.05) until 105 days milk samples from 5.56% and 6.66% on total FA. EPA and DHA were present only as traces. Linoleic/alpha-linolenic ratio was about 2:1 in 30 days samples and pointed out a progressive decrease, with an increasing alpha-linolenic acid amounts during lactation. Saturated/unsaturated ratio was favorable to the first ones as a ratio between 1.2:1 and 1.3:1.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
